Botox use declines with the economy

In the fourth quarter of 2008, sales of Botox fell by 3% compared with the same period in 2007.

According to The New York Times, Botox is less hard-hit than many other parts of the cosmetic surgery market because of its relative affordability. Allergan's sales of skin-plumping injections fell 8.8% and breast implants sagged 12%.

It's important to keep in mind that in spite of all the talk about how bad the economy is and how no one has any money, Americans still spent $329 million on Botox last year: the product's second-best outing ever.

The decline of plastic surgery is almost certainly temporary and seems poised to rebound as soon as the economy does. In fact, the short-term return to wrinkles and sagging could lead to pent-up demand and lines at the plastic surgeon when the economy rebounds.